ADDRESS  OF 
BISHOP  JOS.  BLOUNT  CHESHIRE 


1918 


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ADDRESS 


Bishop  Jos.  Blount  Cheshire 


BEFORE  THE 


ONE   HUNDRED  AND  SECOND  ANNUAL  CONVENTION 
OF  THE  DIOCESE  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA 


1918 


RAlEIGH 

EDWARDS    A    BROUGHTON    PRINTING    CO. 

1918 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
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ADDRESS  OF  THE  BISHOP. 

Brethren  of  the  Clergy  and  Laity : 

We  meet  for  our  one  hundred  and  second  annual  Diocesan 
Convention  amid  solemn  and  inspiring  surroundings.  The 
mildness  of  our  genial  spring,  and  the  bright  May  skies  overhead, 
cannot  but  remind  us  by  contrast,  of  the  darkness  of  suffering 
and  sorrow  covering  so  great  a  portion  of  the  Christian  world, 
and  every  day  bringing  nearer  the  assurance  that  we  must  bear 
our  share  of  the  world's  burdens,  and  drink  our  draught  of  the 
common  cup.  I  say  it  is  a  solemn  moment  in  our  life  as  Christ- 
ians and  as  citizens.  But  it  is  also  an  inspiring  moment,  for  we 
are  called  upon  to  put  into  practice  those  principles  of  duty  and 
of  self-denial,  of  sacrifice  to  the  uttermost,  which  we  have  ac- 
cepted as  fundamental  in  our  life,  but  which  we  seldom  deeply 
feel  or  truly  experience.  Our  Saviour  says :  "He  that  taketh 
not  his  cross  and  followeth  after  me,  is  not  worthy  of  me.  He 
that  findeth  his  life  shall  lose  it :  and  he  that  loseth  his  life  for 
my  sake  shall  find  it."  We  have  all  been  hearing  Him  saying 
these  words.  They  have  come  from  our  pulpits  with  every  recur- 
ring holy  Lenten  season.  But,  how  much  have  we  heeded  them  ? 
How  much  of  our  life  have  we  been  willing  to  lose  for  his  sake  ? 
But  now,  our  country  takes  up  the  words,  and  becomes  the 
preacher.  Through  the  length  and  breadth  of  the  land  sounds 
the  summons.  The  voice  of  God  using  now  His  secular  mes- 
senger, declares  the  same  principles,  reiterates  the  familiar  call, 
points  out  the  same  path,  demands  the  same  supreme  sacrifice, 
and  points  to  the  same  assured  spiritual  prize :  "He  that  loveth 
father  or  mother  more  than  me,  is  not  worthy  of  me;  he  that 
taketh  not  his  cross  and  followeth  after  me,  is  not  Avorthy  of 
me ;  he  that  findeth  his  life  shall  lose  it ;  and  he  that  loseth  his 
life  for  my  sake  shall  find  it."  It  is  no  irreverence  to  put  these 
words  into  the  mouth  of  our  country  when  our  country  calls  to 
duty,  and  to  sacrifice  in  the  path  of  duty.  Taking  up  the  cross ; 
following  after  Christ;  losing  and  finding  our  life,  are  no  vain 
and  empty  figures.  Our  Master  is  no  Sophist  or  rhetorician. 
He  is  Man,  and  He  calls  to  the  spirit  of  man  in  the  actual  con- 
ditions of  life,  as  in  his  good  providence  life  confronts  us.     In 


so  far  as  any  human  voice  utters  a  true  call  to  truth  and  to  self- 
sacrifice,  it  is  the  Master  speaking.  And  none  of  us  can  for  a 
moment  doubt  that  the  call  today  sounding  through  the  land,  and 
echoing  in  every  true  and  loyal  heart,  is  a  call  to  the  service  of 
God  in  resisting  evil,  and  in  establishing  truth  and  justice, 
mercy  and  humanity  in  the  earth.  I  say  this  is  a  solemn,  and 
still  more  an  inspiring  moment,  when  the  powers  of  the  world 
feel  the  impulse  of  the  spirit  of  Christ,  and  call  men  to  count 
not  their  lives  dear  unto  themselves,  but  to  lay  down  all  things 
before  the  altar  of  truth  and  duty.  And  the  way  in  which  men 
respond  to  this  call,  and  without  hesitation  offer  their  lives  to 
the  sacrifice,  makes  me  feel  that  this  fundamental  principle  of 
the  Gospel  enters  much  more  largely  into  men's  lives  than  we 
commonly  suppose.  Possibly  it  is  the  fault  of  us  Christian 
preachers,  and  teachers,  and  leaders,  that  more  of  the  spirit  of 
ready  sacrifice  is  not  evoked  in  the  ordinary  life  of  the  Church. 

Could  we  make  our  work  and  our  methods  more  real,  more 
obviously  responsive  to  actual  conditions  and  necessities,  per- 
haps we  should  arouse  greater  attention  and  stimulate  a  more 
abundant  response,  in  lives  devoted  even  unto  death  in  warfare 
against  the  many  evils  which  degrade  men,  body  and  soul,  in 
this  world  before  destroying  their  souls  in  any  world  to  come. 

And  thus  rejoicing  in  the  noble  exertions  which  our  country 
is  making  in  upholding  Truth  and  Righteousness  on  the  earth, 
let  us  address  ourselves  humbly,  yet  courageously,  to  the  tasks 
which  lie  before  us  in  maintaining  the  spiritual  life  and  wel- 
fare of  our  people  at  home.  All  of  us  cannot  go  to  war.  Much 
more  work  in  the  aggregate  needs  to  be  done  at  home  than  on 
the  fields  of  battle.  By  its  wise  and  generous  exemptions  from 
the  call  to  military  service,  our  country  has  in  effect  said  to  us 
that  we  must  make  it  our  part  to  see  that  the  life  at  home  re- 
mains normal,  vigorous  and  abundant  in  its  manifold  activities. 
In  the  infinite  variety  and  intricacy  of  modern  life,  the  part  of 
"him  who  abides  by  the  stuff"  has  become  more  important 
even  to  the  accomplishment  of  military  achievements,  than  that 
of  him  who  goes  down  to  the  battle.  We  may  feel  then  that  in 
all  our  orderly  and  accustomed  duties  we  are  bearing  our  part  in 
our  country's  great  enterprise.  In  this  spirit  let  us  take  up 
and  go  through  this  day's  business. 


Since  the  last  meeting  of  our  Diocesan  Convention,  we  have 
lost  from  our  earthly  Communion  the  Rev.  William  Thomas 
Picard,  our  oldest  Deacon,  and  in  years  the  oldest  of  all  our 
Diocesan  Clergy,  and  also  our  oldest  Colored  Priest,  the  Rev. 
John  William  Perry,  of  St.  Luke's  Church,  Tarborough.    The 

Rev.  Mr.  Picard, years  of  age  at  the  time  of  his 

death,  was  ordained  to  the  diaconate  May  11,  1887,  and  had 
served  faithfully  in  that  office  for  over  thirty  years,  sup- 
porting himself  and  his  family  by  pursuing  secular  business, 
as  was  his  purpose  when  he  took  orders,  but  serving  his  parish, 
the  Church  of  the  Saviour,  Jackson,  with  a  diligence  and 
devotion  which  kept  back  nothing  which  he  was  able  to  give. 
He  was  a  man  of  singular  purity,  piety,  and  zeal.  As  long  as 
his  strength  permitted  he  assisted  the  rector  of  the  parish  when 
present  and,  in  the  absence  of  the  priest,  officiated  in  the  Church 
on  all  Sundays  and  other  holy  days.  At  times,  according  as  he 
found  opportunity,  he  ministered  in  other  parts  of  the  county. 
He  neither  received  nor  desired  any  compensation  for  his  serv- 
ices. It  was  a  labor  of  love  and  his  chief  delight.  "I  was  glad 
when  they  said  unto  me,  Let  us  go  into  the  house  of  the  Lord," 
might  well  be  the  summary  of  his  devoted  and  blameless  life, 
supplemented  by  those  other  words :  "ISTot  slothful  in  business, 
fervent  in  spirit,  serving  the  Lord." 

The  Rev.  John  W.  Perry  was  one  of  a  band  of  rather  remark- 
able young  colored  men  who  went  out  from  St  Augustine's 
School  some  forty  years  ago.  At  that  time  the  school  was  un- 
der the  administration  of  the  Rev.  John  E.  C.  Smedes,  D.D.,  one 
of  the  most  godly,  learned,  and  devoted  men  whom  we  have  ever 
had  in  this  Diocese.  Joined  with  him  in  the  instruction  of  those 
young  colored  men  who  were  looking  forward  to  the  Holy  Min- 
istry, was  the  Rev.  Dr.  Hubbard,  a  former  professor  of  Latin  in 
the  University  of  North  Carolina,  a  ripe  and  accomplished 
scholar.  Under  the  teaching,  discipline  and  influence  of  St. 
Augustine's  School,  and  especially  of  the  two  men  named,  the 
Rev.  Drs.  Smedes  and  Hubbard,  a  number  of  the  most  devoted 
and  useful  colored  clergymen  whom  we  have  had  anywhere  in 
the  Church,  were  developed.  John  W.  Perry,  Hannibal  S.  Hen- 
derson, Win.  R.  Harris,  Henry  S.  McDuffey,  and  Primus  P. 
Alston,  are  honored  names  among  the  first  of  our  colored  Priests. 


6 

I  believe  Mr.  S.  G.  Atkins,  the  distinguished  colored  Educator, 
now  at  the  head  of  the  Slater  School  in  Winston-Salem,  was  the 
product  of  St.  Augustine's  School  during  the  same  period.  The 
Rev.  John  W.  Perry  spent  the  whole  of  his  ministerial  life  in 
St.  Luke's  Church,  our  oldest  colored  parish.  He  was  ordained 
Deacon  by  Bishop  Lyman,  June  12,  1881,  and  was  advanced  to 
the  Priesthood,  April  7,  1887.  He  died  April  24,  1918,  lacking 
only  a  few  weeks  of  completing  thirty-seven  years  in  the  minis- 
try. He  began  a  mission  in  Wilson  and  built  a  church  in  that 
town.  Upon  its  being  destroyed  by  fire  he  again  assumed  charge 
of  the  work,  and  rebuilt  the  church.  At  Tarborough  he  built  a 
beautiful  and  commodious  church,  and  during  his  whole  course 
commanded  by  his 'life  and  work  the  confidence  and  personal 
esteem  of  the  whole  community.  A  large  and  successful  parish 
school,  kept  up  chiefly  by  his  personal  service,  and  the  assistance 
of  his  excellent  wife,  was  of  great  benefit  to  his  work,  and  was 
an  influence  for  the  moral  and  spiritual,  as  well  as  the  intellect- 
ual, enlightenment  and  development  of  the  numerous  colored 
population  of  the  town  and  the  county.  He  rests  from  his 
labors,  and  his  works  do  follow  him. 

In  accordance  with  the  requirements  of  our  Canons,  I  submit 
herewith  a  detailed  statement  of  my  visitations,  and  other  offi- 
cial actions  from  April  1st,  1917,  to  December  31st,  of  the  same 
year.  This  report  therefore  is  for  the  space  of  nine  months  in- 
stead of  a  full  year.  This  is  in  order  to  make  our  Convention 
year  hereafter  coincide  with  the  Secular  year.  This  will  account 
for  some  seeming  falling  off  in  services,  confirmations,  etc.  But 
making  allowance  for  the  shorter  period,  I  believe  there  is  no 
decrease,  but  rather  an  increase. 

April     1.     Palm  Sunday,  visitations: 

11  a.  m.  Raleigh,  Christ  Church:  Confirmed  23  persons, 
preached  and  administered  the  Holy  Communion. 

5  p.  m.  St.  Mary's  School  Chapel:  Confirmed  10  mem- 
bers of  the  School  and  made  an  address. 

8  p.  m.  Church  of  the  Good  Shepherd:  Preached,  and 
confirmed  5  persons. 

4.  6:15   p.   m.       St.   Augustine's   School   Chapel,   visitation: 

Confirmed  10  persons,  and  preached. 

5.  8    p.     m.      Raleigh,     St.     Saviour's    Church,    visitation: 

Preached,  confirmed  4  persons. 


April     6.     Good  Friday: 

7:30    a.    m.     Raleigh,    Church    of    the    Good    Shepherd: 

Administered  the  Holy  Communion. 
8:15.     Louisburg,      St.     Matthew's     Church,     visitation: 

Preached,  confirmed  4  persons,  and  made  an  address. 
8.     Easter  Day.     Visitations  : 

9:30    a.    m.     Louisburg,    St.    Paul's    Church:      Confirmed 

6  persons,  and  administered  the  Holy  Communion. 
11:50  a.  m.     Kittrell,  St.  James's  Church:     Preached,  and 

administered   the   Holy   Communion. 

11.  8:15    p.    m.      Hamlet,    All    Saints'    Church,    visitation: 

Preached,  and  confirmed  one  person. 

12.  8    p.    m.     Laurinburg,    St.    David's    Church,    visitation: 

Preached;    confirmed  two  persons. 

13.  Laurel  Hill,  In  the  Old  Factory  Chapel,  made  an  address, 

and   confirmed   6   persons. 

15.  The  First  Sunday  after  Easter,  visitations: 

11  a.  m.  Rockingham,  Church  of  the  Messiah.  Con- 
firmed 2  persons,  preached,  and  administered  the  Holy 
Communion. 

7:45  p.  m.  Wadesboro,  Calvary  Church:  Preached,  and 
confirmed  14   persons. 

16.  S     p.     m.     Ansonville,     All     Souls'     Church,     visitatio?i: 

Preached,  confirmed  3  persons.     Dedicated  a  memorial 
window  in  the  chancel  of  the  church. 

17.  8     p.     m.     Monroe,     Holy     Trinity     Mission,     visitation: 
Preached,  and  confirmed  3  persons. 

18.  8  p.  m.     Monroe,  St.  Paul's  Church,  visitation:    Preached, 

confirmed  6  persons. 

19.  8  p.  m.     Charlotte,  St.  Michael  and  All  Angels'  Church, 

visitation:     Preached,  and  confirmed  3  persons. 

20.  8     p.     m.     Charlotte,     St.     Martin's     Church,     visitation: 

Preached,  confirmed  9  persons,  and  made  an  address. 

22.  The  Second  Sunday  after  Easter.     Charlotte,  visitations : 
11    a.    m.     St.    Peter's    Church:      Confirmed    20    persons; 

preached,  and  administered  the  Holy  Communion. 
8  p.  m.     Church  of  the  Holy  Comforter:      Preached,  and 
confirmed  5  persons. 

23.  Charlotte,  St.  Andrew's  Chapel,  visitation:    Preached,  and 

confirmed  3  persons. 

24.  Charlotte,    Thompson    Orphanage    and    Training    Institu- 

tion:   10  a.  m.,  Annual  Meeting  of  Board  of  Managers. 

11  a.  m.     Chapel  of  St.  Mary  the  Virgin,  visitation:    Con- 
firmed 6  children  of  t>he  orphanage,  and  administered 
the  Holy  Communion. 
29.     The  Third  Sunday  after  Easter.     Winston. 

11  a.  m.     St.  Paul's  Church:     Preached. 


8 

April  29.     3  p.  m.     In  the  same  Church,  officiated  at  the  funeral  of 
the  late  John  Cameron  Buxton,  being  assisted  in  the 
service  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Rondthaler,  Moravian  Bishop  of 
Salem. 
May       1.     Feast  of  Sts.  Philip  and  James.     Raleigh  ,   officiated  at  a 
funeral. 
2.     Raleigh,  officiated  at  a  funeral  in  Christ  Church. 
6.     The  Fourth  Sunday  after  Easter.    Raleigh. 

In  the  Church  of  the  Good  Shepherd:  I  baptized  an  in- 
fant. 

11.  Raleigh,    St.   Mary's   School:      In  the   Auditorium  of  the 

School,  presided  at  a  meeting  in  connection  with  the 
Seventy-Fifth  Anniversary  of  the  founding  of  the 
School. 

12.  The   Seventy-Fifth  Anniversary  of  the  Founding   of  St. 

Mary's  School  by  the  Rev.  Aldert  Smedes,  D.D.,  in  1842. 

14.  "Wilson,    St.    Timothy's    Church:      Meeting    of    the    One 

HUNEEED  AND  FlRST  CONVENTION  OP  THE  DlOCESE. 

S  p.  m.  Presided  at  the  Opening  Session  of  the  Conven- 
tion, and  read  my  Annual  Address. 

15.  10  a.  m.     Administered  the  Holy  Communion  at  the  open- 

ing   service;     and    presided    in    the    business    session. 
S    p.    m.      Conducted    short    opening    service    before    the 
evening  session. 

16.  7:30  a.  m.     Administered  the  Holy  Communion. 

9  a.  m.  Said  Morning  Prayer,  presided  in  business  ses- 
sions forenoon,  afternoon,  and  evening,  and  conducted 
the  closing  service. 

17.  Holy  TnrKSDAY  or  Ascension  Day.     Celebration  of  the 

One  Hundreth  Anniversary  of  the  Organization  of 
the  Diocese  of  North  Carolina,  in  Christ  Church,  New 
Bern,  April,  1817.  Services  were  held  in  Christ  Church, 
New  Bern,  by  the  Bishops,  Clergy  and  Laity  of  North 
Carolina,  Bast  Carolina,  and  Asheville,  with  a  celebra- 
tion of  the  Holy  Communion,  a  sermon,  and  several 
addresses,  occupying  the  forenoon,  afternoon  and  eve- 
ning. 
25.  Attended  meeting  of  Executive  Committee  of  the  Convo- 
cation of  Raleigh. 
27.     Whitsun  Day.     Raleigh.    . 

7:30  a.  m.  Chapel  of  St.  Mary's  School:  Administered 
the  Holy  Communion. 

11  a.  m.  In  same  chapel,  officiated  at  the  service.  B'ishop 
Darst  preached  Commencement  Sermon. 

5  p.  m.  Officiated  in  St.  Augustine's  School  Chapel  when 
the  Commencement  Sermon  was  preached. 


9 

May     28.     3  p.  m.     Lexington,  Grace  Church:    Officiated  at  a  funeral. 

29.  St.    Mary's   School    Commencement:      Conducted    Closing 

Service  in  St.  Mary's  Chapel. 
3  p.  m.     Presided  in  the  annual  meeting  of  the  Board  of 
Trustees. 

30.  10   a.   m.     In  Taylor  Hall,   St.   Augustine's   School   Com- 

mencement:      Attended  the  exercises. 

3  p.   m.     Presided  at  the  annual  meeting  of  the   Board 
of  Trustees. 
June      3.     Trinity  Sunday.     Special  visitations : 

11  a.  m.  Lawrence,  Grace  Memorial  Chapel:  Confirmed 
4  persons,  and  administered  the  Holy  Communion. 

2:30  p.  m.  In  same  chapel,  officiated  at  closing  service 
of  Grace  School,  and  made  an  address. 

6  p.  m.     Confirmed  sick  woman  in  private  in  the  country. 

8    p.    m.     Tarhorough    Calvary    Church:       Confirmed    14 
persons. 
4.     Raleigh,  attended  meeting  of  Executive  Committee  of  St. 
Mary's  School. 
July      1.     The  Fourth  Sunday  after  Trinity.     Raleigh. 

11  a.  m.  St.  Ambrose  Church:  Ordained  a  Priest;  ad- 
ministered the  Holy  Communion. 

8  p.   m.     Church  of  the  Good   Shepherd:      Made   an   ad- 
dress; inducted  the  Rev.  Alfred  L.  Lawrence  into  office 
as  Archdeacon  of  Raleigh. 
13.     8    p.    m.     China    Grove,    Ascension    Church,    vestitation: 
Preached;  confirmed  6  persons;  made  an  address. 

15.  The  Sixth  Sunday  after  Trinity. 

11  a.  m.  Salisbury.  St.  Luke's  Church:  Ordained  a 
Priest;    preached;    administered  the  Holy  Communion. 

3  p.  m.  Rowan  County,  St.  Matthew's  Church,  visita- 
tion:   Preached;  confirmed  2  persons. 

8  p.  m.  Salisbury,  St.  Paul's  Church,  visitation:  Con- 
firmed 1  person. 

16.  In  Salisbury,  confirmed  sick  person  in  private. 

8  p.  m.  Salisbury.  St.  Philip's  Church,  visitation: 
Preached;  confirmed  2  persons. 

18.  3    p.     m.     Cleveland,     Christ    Church:       Officiated     at    a 

funeral. 

19.  12  m.     Charlotte,  St.  Peter's  Parish  House:     Conference 

with  clergy  of  Charlotte  in  regard  to  responsibility 
and  opportunity  of  the  Church  in  connection  with  the 
proposed  establishment  at  Charlotte  of  great  Training 
Camp,  Camp  Greene. 

4  p.  m.  Further  conference  with  the  Rev.  James  E. 
King,  in  regard  to  use  of  St.  Michael's  School  Building 
in  connection  with  the  Negro  Soldiers  to  be  stationed 
at  Camp  Greene. 


10 

July    20.     8   p.   m.     Mecklenburg  County,   St.   Mark's   Church.     Offi- 
ciated at  the  Evening  Service. 
22.     The  Seventh  Sunday  after  Trinity: 

11  a.  m.  In  the  same  church,  visitation:  Confirmed  7 
persons;  preached,  and  administered  the  Holy  Com- 
munion. 

5:30  p.  m.  Charlotte,  Had  a  conference  with  the  Secre- 
tary of  the  Young  Mens'  Christian  Association,  in  re- 
gard to  work  among  the  soldiers  at  Camp  Greene. 

8:30  p.  m.  Charlotte,  St.  Peter's  Church:  Made  an  ad- 
dress to  the  joint  congregations  of  St.  Peter's,  Holy 
Comforter,  and  St.  Martin's  in  regard  to  our  duty  in 
connection  with  the  soldiers  at  Camp  Greene. 

24.  11  a.  m.     Iredell  County,  St.  James's  Church,  visitation: 

Confirmed  4  persons;    preached,  and  administered  the 
Holy  Communion. 
8  p.  m,     Statesville,  Trinity  Church:   Preached. 

25.  St.  James's  Day.     Visitations: 

11  a.  m.     Cleveland,  Christ  Church:     Preached. 
8    p.    m.     Cooleemee,    Church    of    the    Good    Shepherd: 
Preached;   confirmed  1  person. 

26.  8     p.     m.     Walnut     Cove,     Christ     Church,     visitation: 

Preached. 

27.  8     p.     m.     Mount     Airy,     Trinity     Church,     visitation: 

Preached;   confirmed  2  persons. 
29.     The  Eighth  Sunday  after  Trinity.    Visitations : 

7:30  a.  m.     Mayodan,  Church  of  the  Messiah:     Adminis- 
tered the  Holy  Communion. 
11  a.   m.     In  same  Church,  preached,   and  confirmed   16 

persons. 
3:30  p.  m.     Stoneville,  Emmanuel  Church:     Preached. 
8  p.  m.     Spray,  St.  Luke's  Church:     Preached;  confirmed 

10  persons,  made  an  address. 
Aug.      1.     In  Wake  County,  officiated  at  a  funeral. 

3.     11  a.  m.     Cunningham  Chapel,  Person  County:    Preached, 

and  administered  the  Holy  Communion. 
8:30  p.  m.     Milton,  Christ  Church,  visitation:     Officiated 

at  Evening  Prayer.     Archdeacon  Lawrence  preached. 
5.     The  Ninth  Sunday  after  Trinity.    Visitations: 

11  a.  m.     Leaksville,  Church  of  the  Epiphany:    Preached, 

and  administered  the  Holy  Communion. 
4    p.    m.      Rockingham    County,    St.    Andrew's    Mission: 

Preached  on  the  bank  of  Dan  River,  and  confirmed  6 

persons. 
8  p.  m.     Reidsville,  St.  Thomas's  Church:    Preached,  had 

conference  with  the  Vestry. 


11 

Aug.    19.     The  Eleventh  Sunday  after  Trinity: 

Hillsboro,    St.   Matthew's   Church.     Preached,   and   offi- 
ciated a.  m.  and  p.  m. 

29.  Tarborough,  St.  Luke's  Church:     Annual  meeting  of  the 

Colored  Convocation. 
8  p.  m.     Officiated,  with  assistance  of  the  Clergy  present, 
at  opening  service. 

30.  9:30  a.  m,     In  same  church,  administered  the  Holy  Com- 

munion.    Read  my  annual  address,  and  presided  a.  m. 
and  p.  m.  in  the  sessions  of  the  Convocation. 
8  p.  m.     In  same  church,  presided  at  Missionary  Meeting, 
and  made  an  address. 

31.  9  a.  m.     In  same  church,  presided  in  business  session  of 

the  Convocation. 
10:30  a.  m.     Tarborough,  Calvary  Church:     Confirmed  4 

persons. 
11  a.  m.     In  St.  Luke's  Parish  School  House,  made  an  ad- 
dress to  the  Woman's  Auxiliary  of  the  Convocation. 
Sept.     2.     The  Thirteenth  Sunday  after  Trinity.     Visitations: 

11  a.  m.     Northampton  County,  St.  Luke's  Church:    Con- 
firmed 1  person;   preached,  and  administered  the  Holy 
Communion. 
8  p.  m.     Roanoke  Rapids,  All  Saints  Church:     Preached, 
and  confirmed  8  persons. 
4.     Raleigh,    Church   of  the   Good    Shepherd:      Confirmed    1 

person. 
7.     Attending  meeting  of  Executive  Committee  of  St.  Mary's 

School. 
9.     The  Fourteenth  Sunday  after  Trinity.    Raleigh. 

7:30  a.  m.     In  the  Church  of  the  Good  Shepherd,  in  the 
absence    of   the   Rector,    administered   the    Holy    Com- 
munion. 
11    a.    m.     In   same    Church,    said   Morning   Prayer,    and 
preached. 
20.     9  a.  m.     Chapel  of  St.  Mary's  School:     Made  an  address. 

10  a.  m.     Attended  meeting  of  Executive  Committee  of 
St.  Mary's  School. 

23.     The  Sixteenth  Sunday  after  Trinity: 

11  a.    m.     Raleigh,    Christ   Church:      Ordained   a   Priest, 
administered  the  Holy  Communion. 

4:30.     Wake   County,    St.   John's  Mission:      Officiated   at 
Evening  Prayer,  Archdeacon  Lawrence  preached. 
30.     The  Seventeenth  Sunday  after  Trinity.     Visitations: 

11    a.    m.     Williamsboro,    St.    John's    Church:      Adminis- 
tered the  Holy  Communion. 

3  p.  m.     Officiated  at  Evening  Prayer. 

8  p.  m.     Stovall,  St.  Peter's  Church:     Preached. 


12 

Oct.       1.     7:30   p.   m.     Middleburg,   Church   of  the   Heavenly   Rest. 
Visitation:    Preached. 

4.  7:30  p.  m.     Weldon,  Grace  Church,  visitation:   Preached; 

confirmed  10  persons;  made  an  address. 

5.  8     p.     m.       Littleton,     St.     Anna's     Church,     visitation: 

Preached,  and  confirmed  3  persons. 

6.  8  p.  m.     Preached  at  a  schoolhouse  in  the  country,  8  miles 

from  Littleton. 

7.  The  Eighteenth  Sunday  after  Trinity.     Visitations: 

11  a.  m.  Littleton,  St  Alban's  Church:  Confirmed  2 
persons;  preached,  and  administered  the  Holy  Com- 
munion. 

4:15  p.  m.  Ridgeway,  Church  of  the  Good  Shepherd: 
Preached,  and  confirmed  2  persons. 

10.  Meeting    of    the    Convocation    of    Charlotte,    Cleveland, 

Christ   Church;    attended  the   Opening   Service   12   m.; 
said  the  Litany,  and  prayers  for  missions;  participated 
in  business  sessions. 
8  p.  m.     Officiated  in  Evening  Prayer. 

11.  In  same  Church,  administered  the  Holy  Communion,  and 

participated  in  the  business  sessions. 
8  p.  m.     Statesville,  Trinity  Church,  visitation:  Preached, 
and  confirmed  4  persons. 

12.  8  p.  m.     Statesville,  Holy  Cross  Mission,  visitation:    Said 

Evening  Prayer,  and  preached. 
14.     The  Nineteenth  Sunday  after  Trinity.     Visitations: 

11  a.  m.  Salisbury,  St.  Luke's  Church:  Confirmed  10 
persons;  made  an  address;  preached,  and  administered 
the  Holy  Communion. 

3:30  p.  m.  Rowan  County,  St.  Jude's  Church:  Preached, 
and  administered  the  Holy  Communion. 

7:45  p.  m.     Salisbury,  St.  Peter's  Church:     Preached. 
251,     The  Twentieth  Sunday  after  Trinity. 

11  a.  m.  Pittsboro,  St.  Bartholomew's  Church:  Dedi- 
cated a  window  in  the  Church  to  the  memory  of  the 
late  William  L.  London;  made  an  address,  and  admin- 
istered the  Holy  Communion. 
23.  Charlotte,  Church  of  the  Holy  Comforter,  special  visita- 
tion:   Confirmed  4  soldiers  from  Camp  Greene. 

28.  The  Twenty-First  Sunday  after  Trinity.     Visitations: 
11:30    a.   m.      Townesville,    Holy   Trinity    Church:      Con- 
secrated the  Church,  confirmed  3  persons,  and  admin- 
istered the  Holy  Communion. 

7:30  p.  m.  Henderson,  Church  of  the  Holy  Innocents: 
Confirmed  5  persons,  and  made  an  address. 

29.  3    p.    m.      Satterwhite,    St.    Simeon's    Church,    visitation: 

Preached. 


Oct.     29.     5   p.  m.     Meeting  of  Convocation  of  Raleigh,   Oxford,   St. 
Stephen's  Church:     Presided  in  the  Opening  Meeting. 
5:30  p.  m.     Attended  meeting  of  Executive  Committee  of 

Convocation  of  Raleigh. 
8  p.  m.     Officiated  at  Opening  Service. 
30.     In  same  Church,  said  Morning  Prayer. 
Nov.      4.     The  Twenty-Second  Sunday  after  Trinity.    Winston,  visi- 
tations:    11  a.   m.     St.   Paul's   Church:      Confirmed  23 
persons,    preached,    and    administered    the    Holy    Com- 
munion. 
8  p.  m.     St.  Stephen's  Church:     Preached,  and  confirmed 
1  person. 

6.  7:30    p.    m.     Elkin,    Galloway    Memorial    Chapel,    visita- 

tion:   Preached. 

7.  7    p.     m.     Germanton,     St.     Philip's    Church,    visitation: 

Said  Evening  Prayer,  and  preached. 

8.  8    p.    m.     Greensboro,    St.    Andrew's    Church,    visitation: 

Preached;  confirmed  4  persons,  and  made  an  address. 

9.  8  p.  m.     Greensboro,  Church  of  the  Redeemer,  visitation: 

Preached,  and  confirmed  1  person. 
11.     The   Twenty-Third  Sunday  after  Trinity.     Visitations: 

11:15  a.  m.     Church  of  the  Holy  Trinity:     Confirmed  11 
persons. 

3:30  p.  m.     Burlington,   Church  of  the   Holy  Comforter: 
Confirmed  12  persons,  and  made  an  address. 

8:30  p.  m.     Raleigh,  Church  of  the  Good  Shepherd:    Con- 
firmed 6  persons. 
18.     The   Twenty-Fourth   Sunday   after   Trinity.     Visitations: 

11  a.  m.     Smithfield,  St.  Paul's  Church:     Preached,  and 
administered  the  Holy  Communion. 

5 :  30  p.  m.     In  Duke,  baptized  an  infant  in  private. 

7:30  p.  m.     Duke,  St.  Stephen's  Church:      Preached,  and 
confirmed  3  persons. 

21.  7:45   p.   m.     Jackson,   Church   of  the   Saviour,   visitation: 

Preached. 

22.  7    p.     m.     Enfield.     Church    of    the    Advent,     visitation: 

Preached,  and  confirmed  9  persons. 

23.  10:30  a.  m.     In  Enfield,  confirmed  a  sick  woman  in  pri- 

vate. 

7:30   p.   m.     Ringwood,   St.   Clements   Church,   visitation: 
Preached. 
25.     The  Sunday  next  before  Advent.     Visitations: 

11  a.  m.     Halifax,  St.  Mark's  Church:      Confirmed  5  per- 
sons; preached,  and  administered  the  Holy  Communion. 

7:30   p.   m.     Scotland   Neck.   Trinity   Church:      Preached, 
and  confirmed  2  persons. 


14 

Nov.  30.  St.  Andrew's  Day.  Raleigh,  Church  of  the  Good  Shep- 
herd: Ordained  a  Deacon,  and  administered  the  Holy 
Communion. 

Dec.  1.  7:30  p.  m.  Wilson,  St.  Mark's  Church,  visitation: 
Preached;  confirmed  3  persons,  and  made  an  address. 

2.  The  First  Sunday  in  Advent.     Visitations: 

11  a.  m.  Wilson,  St.  Timothy's  Church:  Confirmed  6 
persons;  preached,  and  administered  the  Holy  Com- 
munion. 

5  p.  m.  Confirmed  at  their  residence  near  Rocky  Mount, 
3  persons. 

7:30  p.  m.  Rocky  Mount,  Church  of  the  Good  Shepherd: 
Preached,  and  confirmed  28  persons. 

3.  5:30  p.  m.     In  same  Church,  confirmed  2  persons. 

8  p.  m.  Rocky  Mount,  Holy  Hope  Mission,  visitation: 
Preached,  and  confirmed  4  persons. 

4.  7:30    p.    m.     Battleboro,    St.    John's    Church,    visitation: 

Preached,  and  confirmed  1  person. 

6.  8    p.    m.     Spring    Hope,    St.    Jude's    Church,    visitation: 

Preached. 

7.  8  p.  m.     Tarborough,  St.  Luke's  Church,  visitation:    Con- 

firmed 8  persons,  and  made  an  address. 
9.     The  Second  Sunday  in  Advent.     Visitations : 

11   a.   m.     Tarborough,   Calvary   Church:      Confirmed   16 
persons;  made  an  address;  preached,  and  administered 
the  Holy  Communion. 
7:45  p.  m.     In  same  Church,  preached,  and  confirmed  1 
person. 

I  p.  m.     Confirmed  sick  woman  in  private. 

3:30   p.   m.     Speed,    St.    Mary's    Church:      Said    Evening 
Prayer,  and  preached. 
25.     Christmas  Day.     Raleigh. 

II  a.  m.  Church  of  the  Good  Shepherd:  Administered 
the  Holy  Communion. 

During  the  year  covered  by  this  report,  I  have  been  absent 
from  the  Diocese  more  than  visual,  chiefly  on  account  of  the  duty 
of  attending  meetings  of  the  Board  of  Missions,  and  other  simi- 
lar obligations.    I  have  officiated  outside  the  Diocese  as  follows : 

May  17.  In  New  Bern,  Christ  Church,  in  connection  with  the  cele- 
bration of  the  One  Hundredth  Anniversary:  I  officiated 
at  two  services  and  made  an  address. 

June  10.  The  First  Sunday  after  Trinity.  Participated  in  the 
services  in  All  Saints'  Chapel,  University  of  the  South, 
in  connection  with  the  Annual  Commencement. 


15 

June    17.     The  Second  Sunday  after  Trinity,  in  the  Chapel  of  the 
Holy  Cross,  Valle  Crucis,  preached,  and  administered 
the  Holy  Communion. 
24.     The   Third   Sunday  after   Trinity,   in   the   same   Church, 
administered  the  Holy  Communion. 

Sept.  16.  The  Fifteenth  Sunday  after  Trinity.  In  St.  Philip's 
Church,  Southport,  Diocese  of  East  Carolina,  assisted  in 
the  Morning  and  Evening  Services,  and  preached  in 
the  evening. 

Oct.  31.  In  St.  Peter's  Church,  Washington,  Diocese  of  East  Caro- 
lina; officiated  at  a  funeral. 

Nov.      6.     In  All  Saints'  Church,  Ronda,  Missionary  District  of  Ashe- 
ville:       Preached,    and    administered    the    Holy    Com- 
munion. 
13-15.     Attended  the  Provincial  Synod  in  Charleston,  and  took 
part  in  two  services  in  connection  with  the  same. 

During  the  9  months  covered  by  this  report  I  have  within 
the  Diocese  officiated  at  138  services;  administered  the  Holy 
Communion  35  times;  preached  75  times;  made  25  addresses; 
confirmed  431  candidates;  baptized  2  infants;  officiated  at  6 
funerals,  and  ordained  3  Priests  and  1  Deacon.  The  importance 
of  the  ordinations  demands  a  more  explicit  record. 

July  1,  1917,  being  the  Fourth  Sunday  after  Trinity,  in  St.  Am- 
brose Church,  Raleigh,  I  advanced  to  the  Priesthood  John  Ethophilus 
Grattan  Small,  a  colored  Deacon,  presented  by  Archdeacon  Lawrence. 
The.  sermon  was  preached  by  the  Rev.  James  K.  Satterwhite.  There 
were  present  also,  Archdeacon  Delany,  the  Rev.  I.  McK.  Pittenger, 
D.D.,  the  Rev.  Julian  E.  Ingle,  of  this  Diocese,  and  the  Rev.  Wm.  J. 
Herritage  of  East  Carolina.  All  the  Priests  present  joined  with  me 
in  the  Imposition  of  Hands. 

July  15,  1917,  being  the  Sixth  Sunday  after  Trinity,  in  St.  Luke's 
Church,  Salisbury.  I  advanced  to  the  Priesthood,  William  Hoke 
Ramsaur,  Deacon,  presented  by  the  Rev.  Warren  W.  Way.  I 
preached  the  sermon.  Archdeacon  Hardin,  and  the  Rev.  Theodore 
Andrews  assisted  in  the  service.  All  the  Priests  present  joined  me 
in  the  Imposition  of  Hands. 

September  23,  1917.  being  the  Sixteenth  Sunday  after  Trinity,  in 
Christ  Church,  Raleigh,  I  advanced  to  the  Priesthood  Basil  Manly 
Walton,  Deacon,  presented  by  the  Rev.  Isaac  W.  Hughes.  The  ser- 
mon was  preached  by  the  Rev.  Sidney  S.  Host.  Archdeacon  Law- 
rence, the  Rev.  Julian  E.  Ingle,  the  Rev.  Milton  A.  Barber,  and  the 
Rev.  Edgar  H.  Goold,  also  assisted  in  the  service.  All  the  Priests 
present  joined  me  in  the  Imposition  of  Hands. 


16 

November  30.  1917,  St.  Andrew's  Day,  in  the  Church  of  the  Good 
Shepherd,  Raleigh,  I  ordained  to  the  Diaconate,  Theodore  Stroup, 
presented  by  the  Rev.  A.  B.  Hunter,  D.D.  The  sermon  was  preached 
by  the  Rev.  Phillip  S.  Gilman. 

Since  January  1st,  i.  e.,  with  our  current  convention  year, 
not  otherwise  covered  by  this  report,  I  have  ordained  2  Deacons, 
James  Reginald  Mallett,  May  1st,  and  Roma  Coxey  Fortune, 
May  5th.  The  detailed  record  of  these  ordinations  must  form 
part  of  my  report  to  our  Diocesan  Convention  of  May,  1919; 
but  I  must  mention  this  here  because  under  our  Canons  they  are 
entitled  to  seats  in  this  Convention,  and  therefore,  their  ordina- 
tions must  appear  of  record.  This  is  one  of  the  practical  incon- 
veniences of  holding  our  Convention  so  long  after  the  close  of 
the  Convention  year. 

During  the  period  covered  by  this  report,  and  up  to  May  1. 
1918,  we  have  added  the  following  names  to  our  Clergy  List: 
Theodore  Stroup,  Deacon,  ordained  November  30,  1917. 
James  Reginald  Mallett,  Deacon,  ordained  May  1,  1918. 
Roma  Coxey  Fortune,  Deacon,  ordained  May  5,  1918. 
Lewis  Chester  Morrison,  Priest,  from  Harrisburg,  April  27,  1917. 
Edward  Worseley  Baxter,  Priest,  from  New  West,  minister,  B.A., 

May  15.  1917. 
Phillips   Standish   Gilman,   Priest,   from   Massachusetts,   June   15, 

1917. 
Milton  Moran  Weston,  Priest,  from  Georgia,  September  1,  1917. 
Charles  Culmer  Kelsey,  Priest,  from  East  Carolina,  March,  1918. 
William  DeLancey  Benton,  Priest,  from  W.  New  York,  April  18, 

1918. 

During  the  same  period  we  have  lost : 

Thomas  William  Picard,  Deacon,  died. 

John  William  Perry,  Priest,  died  April  24,  1918. 

Adolphus  Whitfield  Cheatham,  Priest,  to  Michigan,   November  6, 

1917. 
Lewis  Chester  Morrison,  Priest,  December  4,  1917. 
Arthur  William  Taylor,  Priest,  to  South  Carolina,  January  1,  1918. 
Basil  Manly  Walton,  Priest,  to  East  Carolina,  February  22,  1918. 

Also  September  10,  1917,  I  suspended  from  the  Ministry, 
Clarence  Greene  Prosperi,  Deacon,  on  his  own  request  for  causes 
fully  known  to  me,  and  not  affecting  his  moral  character.  And 
March  28,  1918,  his  purpose  and  desire  remaining  unchanged,  I 
proceeded  to  depose  him. 


17 

I  should  add  that  the  Rev.  Cyprian  P.  Willcox  has  removed 
to  the  Diocese  of  Atlanta,  but  has  not  as  yet  taken  letters  dismis- 
sory. 

Up  to  May  14,  1918,  we  have  added  to  our  Clergy  list  three 
Deacons  and  six  Priests,  a  total  of  nine.  We  lost  in  all  one 
Deacon  and  five  Priests.  Our  present  number,  therefore,  is  in 
all  65. 

The  fields  of  work  of  the  Clergy  remain  as  they  were  last 
year,  with  the  following  exceptions : 

The  Rev.  Bertram  E.  Brown,  February,  1918,  obtained  a 
three-months  leave  of  absence  from  Calvary  Church,  Tar- 
borough,  and  has  been  doing  work  with  the  Young  Mens'  Christ- 
ian Association  in  Camp  Pike  at  Little  Rock,  Ark. 

The  Rev.  Henry  0.  Nash,  of  Emmanual  Church,  Southern 
Pines,  under  an  appointment  from  the  Church,  was  commis- 
sioned Volunteer  Chaplain  in  Camp  Greene,  near  Charlotte. 

The  Rev.  Jacob  P.  Burg,  has  been  removed  from  All  Saints' 
Church,  Hamlet,  and  has  been  placed  in  charge  of  St.  Mat- 
thew's and  St.  Jude's  churches,  Rowan  County. 

The  Rev.  Samuel  M.  Hanff  at  the  end  of  1917,  resigned 
charge  of  Calvary  Church,  Wadesboro,  and  All  Souls'  Church, 
Ansonville,  and  accepted  a  call  to  become  rector  of  All  Saints' 
Church,  Concord. 

The  Rev.  Francis  Joyner  has  felt  obliged  to  resign  the  charge 
of  St.  Bartholomew  Church,  Pittsboro,  on  account  of  the  con- 
dition of  his  health,  and  to  confine  himself  to  the  work  at 
Littleton. 

The  Rev.  Alfred  S.  Lawrence  the  first  of  July,  1917,  resigned 
charge  of  St.  Matthews'  Church,  Hillsboro,  and  St.  Mary's, 
Orange  County,  and  accepted  the  position  of  Archdeacon  of 
Raleigh. 

The  Rev.  James  D.  Miller  has  within  the  last  month  resigned 
his  charge  of  St.  Andrew's  Church,  Greensboro,  and  intends 
taking  other  work  in  the  Diocese. 

The  Rev.  Lewis  C.  Morrison,  in  November,  1917,  resigned  the 
work  at  Duke  and  Smithfield,  and  took  letters  dimissory  to  the 
Diocese  of  Long  Island. 

The  Rev.  Edwin  A.  Osborne  has  completed  his  eighteenth 
year,  and  the  fortieth  year  of  his  faithful  service  in  the  Minis- 


18 

try,  resigned  in  June,  1917  the  work  at  Laurinburg  and  in 
Iredell  County.  I  feel  obliged  to  say,  however,  that,  excepting 
the  fact  that  he  receives  no  salary  or  other  compensation,  I 
can  see  no  diminution  in  the  zeal  and  devotion  with  which  he 
continues  his  faithful  labors  in  those  places  which  he  resigned, 
and  wherever  else  he  can  find  opportunity  of  serving  those  other- 
wise unprovided  for. 

The  Rev.  Wm.  Hoke  Ramsaur,  in  temporary  charge  of  the 
Church  of  the  Messiah,  Mayodan,  during  the  summer  of  1917, 
has  during  the  past  year  been  acting  as  Travelling  Secretary  in 
the  Students'  Volunteer  Missionary  Movement. 

The  Rev.  Thomas  L.  Trott,  at  the  end  of  1917,  resigned  the 
work  at  Monroe  and  Rockingham,  greatly  to  the  regret  of  his 
congregations  at  those  places,  and  has  undertaken  the  very  im- 
portant work  at  High  Point. 

The  Rev.  1ST.  Collin  Hughes,  who  had  for  nearly  nine  years 
diligently  and  effectually  discharged  the  duties  and  carried  on 
the  work  of  Archdeacon  of  Raleigh  at  the  end  of  June,  1917,  re- 
signed that  position,  in  order  to  accept  the  very  important  posi- 
tion of  Chaplain  at  the  State  Farm  in  Halifax  County,  where 
the  greater  number  of  the  State  convicts  are  kept.  It  was  with 
very  deep  mutual  regret  that  both  Mr.  Hughes  and  I  severed 
the  close  relations  which  had  existed  between  us  as  Archdeacon 
and  Bishop,  but  we  both  felt  that  to  have  a  part  in  the  effort 
just  inaugurated  for  the  improvement  of  our  methods  of  deal- 
ing with  the  State  convicts  was  an  opportunity  for  good  work 
not  to  be  declined.  Archdeacon  Hughes's  deep  interest  in  the 
welfare  of  these  men,  and  his  earnest  and  laborious  endeavors 
for  their  welfare,  during  all  the  years  of  his  work  as  Archdeacon, 
had  been  no  small  influence  in  bringing  about  the  recent  efforts 
for  improvement,  and  doubtless,  determined  the  choice  of  the 
Governor  of  the  Chaplaincy  created  by  the  action  of  the  last 
Legislature.  I  therefore  felt  constrained  to  advise  Mr.  Hughes 
to  accept  the  appointment.  I  believe  this  very  important  work 
could  not  be  in  better  hands. 

THE  SUPREME  DUTY  OF  THE  HOUR. 

There  is  a  danger  that  in  the  excitement  of  this  great  national 
crisis  of  the  world's  history,  and  in  the  clamorous  demands  made 


19 

on  all  sides  for  our  sympathy  and  our  cooperation  we  may 
suffer  some  confusion  of  ideas,  and  seriously  mistake  our  real 
duties  and  obligations.  I  think  I  have  seen  some  such  mis- 
takes. Many  of  them  proceed  from  high  and  pure  motives,  and 
illustrate  noble  qualities  of  character.  But  they  are  none  the  less 
mistakes,  and  injurious  in  the  end.  Our  supreme  duty  is  that 
each  man  should  stand  in  his  place,  and  do  that  work  which 
specially  belongs  to  him  to  do.  If  we  have  a  plain  and  dis- 
tinct duty  before  us,  we  have  no  right  to  neglect  it  and  run  off 
to  something  more  attractive  or  adventurous,  or  dangerous  field 
of  service,  because  it  appeals  to  us.  So  far  as  I  am  able  to  un- 
derstand the  true  principles  of  duty,  a  clergyman  has  no  right 
to  abandon  the  exercise  of  his  function,  and  to  undertake  other 
work.  He  has  voluntarily  devoted  himself  to  a  specific  course, 
and  has  solemnly  pledged  himself  to  pursue  it  exclusively. 
Upon  that,  condition  alone  he  received  his  ministerial  commis- 
sion. I  am  not  saying  that  his  country  may  not  make  such  a 
demand  upon  him  as  would  require  him  to  obey  her  call :  I  am 
not  saying  that  want  of  a  field  for  ministerial  labor  might  not 
justify  him  in  taking  other  work :  I  am  not  saying  that  a  lack 
of  men  to  do  other  important  work  might  not  be  a  valid  reason 
for  him  to  respond  to  the  necessity  of  the  case.  But  I  do  say 
that  none  of  these  peculiar  circumstances  exist  at  the  present 
time  to  justify  our  Clergy  in  leaving  the  proper  work  of  the 
Ministry  to  engage  in  the  secular  duties  arising  out  of  our 
great  struggle.  Our  country  so  far  from  calling  on  the  Clergy 
to  abandon  their  proper  functions,  has  declared  expressly  and 
emphatically  that  they  should  not  do  this.  By  exempting  the 
Clergy  from  military  service,  exempting  them  as  Clergymen,  our 
government  has  said  that  their  proper  function  is  so  important 
to  the  welfare  of  the  nation,  that  the  country  demands  of  them 
that  they  apply  themselves  diligently  to  their  proper  duties. 
There  is  abundant  Avork  for  them,  both  at  home  and  in  the 
army.  If  some  proper  appointment  in  the  army,  calling  for 
the  exercise  of  his  function,  comes  to  a  Clergyman  he  may  prop- 
erly accept  it.  But  if  no  such  opportunity  offers,  the  eagerness 
of  his  spirit  to  have  a  hand  in  the  great  conflict  does  not  justify 
him  in  undertaking  secular  work.  And  no  imaginary  benefits  to 
be  derived  from  the  perilous  experiences  of  war  will  so  much 


20 

avail  for  the  real  discipline  of  his  character  as  submitting  to 
give  up  his  own  personal  desire,  and  doing  his  duty  in  that 
state  of  life  in  which  it  hath  pleased  God  to  call  him.  And 
certainly  no  one  can  plead  that  there  is  any  lack  of  men  who  may 
properly  supply  all  the  great  demands  for  service.  The  coun- 
try is  proceeding  upon  the  sound  and  safe  principle  that  it 
calls  for  what  it  needs.  It  calls  for  its  fighting  men,  for  its 
Sergeants,  its  Chaplains,  its  Red  Cross  workers,  and  all  .the 
infinite  variety  of  persons  and  professions  needed,  and  the  re- 
sponse is  universal.  It  has  at  its  command  more  men  and 
women  than  it  can  use.  As  it  seems  to  me  the  Clergyman  who 
abandons  his  function  and  undertakes  work  that  gives  no  special 
opportunity  to  him  as  a  Clergyman,  is  violating  the  fundamental 
principle  so  wisely  adopted  by  the  Government  in  carrying  on 
this  war.  He  is  deserting  the  great  cause  of  the  organized 
moral  and  spiritual  form  of  society,  and  is  undertaking  the 
task  which  our  government  has  wisely  offered  to  other  men. 

I  say  nothing  of  the  great  Christian  tradition  which  prohibits 
the  voluntary  taking  up  of  arms  by  those  in  Holy  Orders, 
though  in  these  days  of  an  increasing  sense  of  the  importance  of 
corporate  life,  and  the  obligation  of  the  social  conscience,  so 
general  a  feeling  in  all  ages  of  the  Church,  expressed  in  many 
ancient  canons,  should  not  be  lightly  regarded.  We  have  not 
been  able  to  look  with  satisfaction  upon  the  great  Mediaeval 
Prince  Bishops  who  led  their  avnied  vassals  to  war ;  yet  in  doing 
so  they  were  only  responding  to  their  legal  obligations,  as  hold- 
ers of  great  fiefs  under  the  crown.  They  were  not  volunteering 
to  take  up  arms.  And  in  the  case  of  our  own  great  Bishop 
Polk,  it  must  be  remembered  that  he  became  a  soldier  only  in 
obedience  to  a  specific  and  peremptory  demand  made  upon  him, 
when  his  country  had  been  invaded,  to  do  a  defensive  work, 
which  there  was  no  one  else  at  hand  to  do.  And  time  and  again 
he  sought  to  be  released  from  his  military  duties.  His  was  no 
case  of  voluntarily  taking  up  arms. 

I  feel  it  necessary,  my  brethren,  to  speak  of  this  matter.  I 
appreciate  the  spirit  of  heroic  self-sacrifice,  which  impels  the 
young  Priest  to  feel  that  he  must  go  and  take  his  place  in  the 
ranks  with  his  brethren.  But  we  are  not  our  own  masters.  We 
have  dedicated   ourselves   to   a  particular  work,   an   important 


21 

work;  and  our  country,  no  less  than  the  necessities  of  the 
Church  and  of  the  world,  has  said  to  us  that  we  must  stand  in 
our  place,  and  do  our  own  work,  while  those  who  are  called  for 
that  other  work  fulfill  also  their  duty  in  doing  what  they  are 
called  to  do. 

I  believe  I  need  not  exhort  you  all.  Clergy  and  Laity,  to 
answer  with  zeal  and  enthusiasm  every  demand  for  self-denying 
service  in  the  cause  of  our  country.  I  see  on  all  sides  that  you 
are  doing  this.  I  am  thankful  to  say  that  up  to  the  present 
time  I  see  also,  a  noble  spirit  of  faithfulness  in  responding  to 
the  needs  of  our  Church  work.  So  far  as  I  know  there  is  no 
falling  off  in  the  offerings  of  our  people  for  local,  diocesan,  or 
general  purposes.  Perhaps  we  are  a  little  behind  on  our  ap- 
portionment for  general  Foreign  and  Domestic  work,  compared 
with  this  time  last  year,  but  on  the  whole  our  people  seem 
disposed  to  rise  to  the  occasion  and  to  keep  up  our  work  to 
at  least  its  general  average.  Indeed,  within  the  -last  five  months 
I  have  received  for  our  Diocesan  Missionary  work  the  largest 
gift  (exclusive  of  legacies),  which  I  have  ever  received  from 
one  person.  But  I  fear  that  the  tremendous  expenses  of  the 
war,  the  great  increase  of  taxes,  the  vast  sums  asked  for  and 
given  to  the  Young  Mens'  Christian  Association  for  Army  work, 
and  our  Church  War  Commission,  and  the  jSTational  Red  Cross, 
may  eventually  have  the  effect  of  making  it'  harder  for  our 
people  to  keep  up  the  level  of  their  usual  contributions.  I  must 
ask  you  to  be  on  your  guard,  and  to  remember  that  while  we 
all  render  to  Caesar  the  things  that  are  Caesar's,  we  must  not 
forget  to  render  to  God  and  to  God's  Church  the  things  which 
are  properly  theirs. 

In  this  connection  let  me  make  a  suggestion :  The  trouble 
with  many  of  us  in  our  giving  is  that  we  have  no  method  and 
no  standard.  Let  me  suggest  a  simple  method  and  a  con- 
venient standard,  a  method  and  a  standard  which  experience  and 
observation  have  shown  me  to  be  most  effectial.  Let  every  per- 
son of  responsible  age,  who  has  an  income  from  personal  labor 
or  from  any  form  of  property,  make  a  rule  to  put  by,  as  that 
income  is  received,  some  definite  part  of  it  for  religious  and 
charitable  uses.  Many  have  found  that  one-tenth  is  little 
enough.     If  a  small  income  will  not  bear  so  e;reat  a  deduction. 


22 

then  let  it  be  one-twelf th,  one-fifteenth,  or  one-twentieth ;  but 
a  fixed  and  regular  portion.  Certainly  all  men  in  good  circum- 
stances can  give  a  tenth,  even  if  their  poorer  brethren  have  to 
make  it  less.  So  much  for  method.  ISTow  for  a  standard :  let 
such  a  man  give  to  our  general  Foreign  and  Domestic  Missions 
one  day's  income,  to  our  Diocesan  Missions  the  same,  to  our 
Thompson  Orphanage  the  same.  This  will  leave  him  quite 
enough  to  supply  his  personal  work  and  his  personal  charities 
much  more  generously  than  most  of  us  have  been  accustomed  to 
give.  One-tenth  of  a  man's  income,  allowing  three  hundred  days 
to  the  working  year,  is  the  income  for  thirty  days ;  one-twentieth 
is  the  income  for  fifteen  days,  so  it  is  easy  to  see  that  the  one 
day's  income  for  the  three  principal  objects  mentioned  leaves  a 
generous  proportion  for  local  church  work  and  personal  chari- 
ties. 

The  Board  of  Missions  has  asked  for  individual  gifts  from 
those  who  feel  able  to  give  something  over  and  above  their 
parish  apportionment  for  general  Foreign  and  Domestic  Mis- 
sions. And  I  hereby  appoint  the  First  Sunday  after  Trinity, 
June  2d,  as  a  day  on  which  I  ask  all  the  Clergy  to  give  notice 
every  intervening  Sunday,  when  all  our  people  are  asked  to 
make  an  offering  of  one  day's  income  to  our  great  work  of  build- 
ing up  the  Church  in  our  own  country,  and  wherever  else  our 
activities  extend  our  Foreign  and  Domestic  Missions. 

You  must  realize,  without  any  further  words  of  mine,  how  im- 
possible it  is  that  I  should  include  in  this  address  all  the  topics 
which  demand  the  attention  of  this  community.  Especially  im- 
portant is  the  work  of  St.  Mary's  School,  and  the  efforts  the 
Trustees  are  making,  largely  by  the  work  of  the  Rev.  Francis 
M.  Osborne,  to  put  that  great  institution  upon  a  broader  and 
stronger  foundation,  to  increase  its  efficiency,  and  to  extend  its 
benefits.  That  will  be  brought  before  us  in  the  report  of  the 
Board  of  Trustees.  We  have,  also,  the  great  question  of  some 
better  provision  for  church  .  work  among  our  Negroes  and 
whether  we  shall  elect  a  Suffragan  Bishop  for  this  work.  A 
special  committee  has  already  laid  its  report  on  that  subject  be- 
fore us.  To  all  these,  and  to  many  other  matters  of  great  and 
vital  concern,  I  wish  your  earnest  consideration  and  your  wise 
and  generous  action.     And  we  cannot  do  better  than  pray  over 


23 

again  our  last  week's  collect :  "Grant  to  us,  O  Lord,  that  by  Thy 
holy  inspiration  we  may  think  those  things  that  are  good,  and 
by  Thy  merciful  guiding  may  perform  the  same." 

Jos.  Blount  Cheshire. 


